
Prayagraj, January 27, 2025: With millions of pilgrims and tourists set to throng Mahakumbh 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has come up with plans to enhance the air travel capacity to Prayagraj. The DGCA has asked the airlines to substantially increase their flight schedules to make the air journey more accessible and reasonable.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, said that the airlines have been asked to increase 81 more flights in January 2025, taking the total number of flights to Prayagraj to 132. This is in response to complaints over sky-high ticket prices as some passengers reported unusually high fares during the festival’s peak days.
In view of likely surge in demand, DG (CA) met airlines on 23 January 2025 and urged them to increase further capacity by adding flights and rationalize fares.
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) January 25, 2025
The additional flights will decongest travel and help in regulating the spurt demand and stabilize fares for the faithful and tourists,” the DGCA said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
To meet increased demand for air travel to Prayag Raj during Mahakumbh, DGCA has approved 81 additional flights in January, raising Prayagraj connectivity to 132 flights from across India.
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) January 25, 2025
India’s airfare is usually uncontrolled, with airline operators determining them based on their demand and operations. However, the government controls it through Aircraft Rules, 1937 to regulate abnormal fluctuations in prices.
State Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol told the Rajya Sabha that though fare regulation is strictly avoided to maintain competition in the market, the government is very watchful and steps in whenever necessary to control fare. The DGCA has called a meeting with airlines today, January 23, 2025, for capacity expansion and fare control for Mahakumbh travelers.
Prayagraj Airport experienced unprecedented passenger movement since the opening of Mahakumbh 2025. The airport was able to clear 30,172 passengers and 226 flights within a week and recorded more than 5,000 passengers on one day alone, breaking the record at the facility.
To meet the growing demand, Prayagraj Airport now operates 24/7, with night flights added to ensure round-the-clock connectivity. The airport has also expanded its network, offering direct connections to 17 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, compared to just eight cities in December 2024. Additionally, connecting flights have extended the city’s reach to 26 destinations, such as Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has undertaken significant infrastructure upgrades to prepare Prayagraj for Mahakumbh. These efforts include the expansion of the airport’s capacity and improved air travel options.
“The increase in flight availability and better connectivity reflects Prayagraj’s growing importance as a hub during Mahakumbh,” said an official.
Mahakumbh 2025 is one of the largest religious congregations in the world, which attracts millions of devotees and tourists. The experience of travel for the visitor is going to improve considerably as the flight availability will be better and the government is working towards keeping air fares fair.
These efforts are made so that pilgrims face no hassle or difficulty while traveling, thus cementing Prayagraj as an important destination for this grand spiritual congregation.
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